This past week in #CPChatNow was “A Happening” as Gorilla Monsoon would say. Members discussed driving, Halloween plans and struggles, and how they would describe the year 2021. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, members discussed what went into the decision on whether to drive or not with a variety of considerations going into member’s decisions.
Next, members discussed their Halloween plans and concerns they have surrounding accessibility of trick or treating.
Finally, Zach asks members how they would describe the year 2021 at this point.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question which is inspired by Halloween: What is your favorite Halloween costume of all time?
Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow. Thanks for reading!
While temperatures outside begin to drop, conversation during the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow heated up. Or so that remained the case Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
The weather topic arose early in the night.
Admittedly, I initiated the dialogue commenting how “it’s that time of year #CPChatNow when my spasticity is starting to increase due to colder temperatures.” Long-time chat regular Blemi responded, calling the week “a stark reminder of that” for her. Adding “It’s not even that cold yet!” Regarding Blemi’s “It’s not even that cold yet” statement, I speculated the actual temperature does not matter as much as how dramatic the decrease in temperature is.
Oppose to spending the night dwelling on the challenges we face due to the cooler weather, we re-focused to concentrate on solutions.
A focus starting with me asking participants to name a product which helps them get through the winter months. Blemi showed love for her heated blanket and heated massage pad. I too almost said heating pad. However, after looking over my “Cerebral Palsy Winter Tips” blog post, another answer came to me. My shoes with rigid soles.
Alessandro, on the other hand, offered some humor. Crediting being Italian as what helps him through the winter months. The humorous answers did not stop with Alessandro.
Veronica chimed in to say moving to Arizona helped her cope with the winter months. A solution I called “Perfect.” Nevertheless, not everyone has the option to move to Arizona. So, let us keep the solutions coming! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is one product that helps you get through the winter months?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section below.
Afterwards, mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter for #CPChatNow. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed showing off their new walker, disability related books they would recommend, and the reasons they read. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I wanted to give kudos to Blemi for showing off her new pink walker to help promote her Youtube channel. Making mobility aids “cool” is a challenge for disabled people, so any time we can it’s worthy of praise!
Next, the rest of the chat turned to books and reading. This may have been inspired by Zach finishing the manuscript on his latest book! First, Zach asked members what disability related book they would host for a discussion.
Finally, talk turned to the reasons people read. Members shared a variety of reasons. Also, you can find Emily Ladau’s book Blemi references here.
Please share your answers to the Extend-The-Conversation-Question in the comments and join us each Wednesday on Twitter at #CPChatNow at 8 Eastern!
Navigating ups and downs, plus more highlighted the conversation during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 29th, 2021. Here to delve further into the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
Early in the evening I touted a recent personal triumph.
While finishing far from a personal best time, I felt victorious in completing the 2021 Run Through History 5k. As I shared, due to my groin strain the prior month I went into the race not my best physically. Nevertheless, I persevered through the hilly course. Thinking about the hills, led me to ask a question.
Curious, I asked what others find more challenging, moving uphill or downhill? Long-time chat regular Blemianswered with no hesitation, saying downhill. I said the same, noting going downhill momentum builds making controlling yourself harder. Blemi and I soon found ourselves in good company.
Alessandro concurred with my assessment about controlling momentum going downhill, just using more colorful wording. Additionally, Veronica replied with certainty. Calling downhill definitely harder. In response, I pondered if others would agree descending stairs remains more challenging then ascending them. My co-host Devin Axtman confidently replied “Without a doubt.”
As the night progressed, the chatter gradually moved from moving up and down hills and stairs to another subject.
Earlier in the day while reading Disability Visibility I came across the concept Crip time. Curiosity striking again, I asked how many people were familiar with the term. Devin hit on a key element involved, needing to plan on extra time. To offer a more comprehensive definition of Crip time I cited University of Minnesota‘s Crip time definition.
A concept arising from disabled experience that addresses the ways that disabled/chronically ill and neurodivergent people experience time (and space) differently than able-bodyminded folk.
-University of Minnesota
Veronica found herself realizing she uses Crip time without even knowing it! Mentioning in-particular always doubling prep time for recipes. What about you though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you use Crip time?”
Answer in the “Comments” below! Afterwards set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed life events like completing a 5k, their favorite fall activities, and how Australia is handling COVID. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I want to share a cool thing that Zach recently accomplished. He completed his first 5k after experiencing a significant fall. Way to go Zach!
Casey and Zach tweeted about their favorite ways to deal with pain from cold weather.
AcquiDis checked in from Australia with an update on how the government is handling the COVID situation.
Finally, Zach asked members what their favorite fall activities are.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite part of the Fall? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Celebratory and reflective vibes emanated from the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. Allow me, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, tell you more via your weekly recap. Let the celebration begin!
Early on in the evening I offered a reason to celebrate by sharing some good news.
September 15th marked the night before my last day at Beachwood Public Library. Participants congratulated me as I shared I would soon begin as a branch services clerk at the South Euclid Public Library. Along with the congratulations came curiosity.
My co-host Devin Axtman asked me about the differences in my new position. All the discussion about my new job led long-time chat regular Blemi to make an observation.
Blemi commented we in the #CPChatNow community have come a long way since the chat’s beginnings. Her comment reminded me that December will mark our eight-year anniversary! Said realization inspired me to ask a question.
Getting creative, I asked participants what advice or wisdom their 2021 self would give their pre-CPChatNow self. Devin responded “You can’t hurry love.” Meanwhile Blemi replied “Be patient and enjoy what you have instead of always living for the future.”
What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “What wisdom or advice would your 2021 self give your pre-CPChatNow self?”
Leave your reply in the comments! Afterwards set a reminder to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday. The party begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was a fun one! Members discussed outdoor activities, what they want to do to make 2021 a success, and the fact #CPChatNow is turning 8 soon! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
This past week in #CPChatNow was eventful as always. Members discussed falls, reactions to their falls and accessorizing their mobility devices. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, talked turned to a familiar topic for those with Cerebral Palsy, falls. Zach discussed one of his recent falls with Blemi that led to a groin strain:
Next, members discussed the strangest reactions to falls they have experienced:
Finally, talk turned to another common topic for those with CP, mobility aids and making them fashionable.
Blemi and Zach tweet about how it’s hard to find cute devices and they wish there was more availability:
This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite mobility aid you have ever had? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
This past week in #CPChatNow was lit as always. Members discussed aging and CP, perceptions of disabled people, and books by disabled authors. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
Chris started the conversation by sharing research that showed people with CP are more likely to break bones as they age with people in their 50s having the bone strength of people in their 80s. This led to conversation about what we can do as we age to help bone health.
Next, Veronica tweeted about her son interacting with a disabled person who other people at work did not respect:
Finally, talk turned to disabled authors and books members liked to read. First, Karen and Zach discussed Zach’s in progress book.
Communal vibes strongly emanated from the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, July 21st, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Yearning for the community our Twitter chat provides remained present prior to Wednesday.
On Tuesday, July 20th long-time chat regular Blemi took to Twitter, wishing the day was Wednesday. All so she could work through the lots of stuff on her mind. After a 24-hour wait, Blemi had her chance to seek support from fellow chat participants.
In accordance with our recap rules to not highlight tweets featuring sensitive life events, I will avoid delving further into that conversation. Although, I can say more then Blemi received support from our community July 21st.
Alessandro possessed some exciting news. He officially got a new job! Others in the chat offered congratulatory messages to celebrate.
Elsewhere in the night’s dialogue, talk turned to the spasticity involved in spastic cerebral palsy.
In-particular I asked participants how they would describe their spasticity to others. The responses varied. Veronica noted not really getting asked about her spasticity. Meanwhile Blemi replied “I tell them my neurons are always firing making me stiff.” She admitted not knowing whether that stands 100% accurate, but she finds the answer easy to explain.
Additionally, Stacey supplied an easy to understand reply saying if you put anything in the crook of her arm, you will need the jaws of life to get it out. Opposingly, Lorna stated she does not explain it. It’s just that if she thinks too much about moving she can’t move. Lorna also commented she does tell people not to use the word “spaz.”
Regarding managing spasticity, Blemi mentioned a difference maker she recently began using.
By using a magnesium supplement, Blemi has felt a difference in her stiffness. What about you, though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you manage your spasticity?” Respond in the “Comments” section.
Please note, what works for one person might not work for another. So if somebody’s answer intrigues you, discuss as needed with the appropriate medical professionals. Let them know you found the suggestion thanks to us at #CPChatNow. We meet each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. Make sure to mark your calendars.
#CPChatNow 